ABC Blog

Where To Donate Household Items In Houston

Where to donate household items Houston

Springtime and the start of the year are two traditional times to declutter your living space, clearing out unused and unwanted items to make space for new, updated ones. But even though January is Get Organized Month, you don’t have to wait for the new year (or springtime!) to roll around before you get started on getting organized.

Any time of year is the right time to organize and declutter—and there’s no time like the present to begin. So what’s your first step? Since one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, your first step should be finding out where to donate household items in Houston.

Where to Donate Household Items in Houston

In Houston, deciding where to donate unwanted clothing, furniture, and household goods is just a matter of choosing which charity you’d like to benefit. Most charities accepting donations serve individuals in need, and your charitable donation is tax-deductible. It’s a … Read Full Post »

Everything You Need To Know About Rodents in Houston [INFOGRAPHIC]

As the fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is known for its vast array of restaurants, the museum district and as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Unfortunately for those of us that live here, Houston is also known as the pest capital of the United States. Why? In addition to a large human population, whose trash provides a plentiful and consistent food source, the city’s warm and humid climate is a perfect place for all types of pests.

One common pest Houston homeowners contact us about most frequently are rodents. In Houston, Texas, rats and mice find their way into your home, eat and chew wood and food, leave a mess and can infect humans with some very serious diseases.

What kinds of rodents are found here in Austin? How do they make their way inside our homes? What are some warning signs? And perhaps most importantly, what can … Read Full Post »

A Child’s Hope Coffee Featured at Central Market’s Coffee Fest

A Child's Hope

Coffee. For many of us, it’s a necessity in the morning. A ritual to get our day off to a good start. A well-deserved break in the afternoon.

Did you realize that a cup of coffee can change a child’s life?

ABC Commits To Helping Haitian Children

After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, members of the pest control industry in the United States traveled to the island nation to offer humanitarian aid. Haiti has long been the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, so the government struggled to support its citizens as they worked to rebuild after this catastrophic event.

Raleigh Jenkins, the owner of the Houston branch of ABC Home & Commercial Services, decided he wanted to do something more to help, particularly for Haiti’s children. Working together with a few colleagues and friends, A Child’s Hope was born.

Read Full Post »

How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System

how to winterize your sprinkler system

When colder temperatures are on the way, homeowners can take simple steps to make sure that outdoor spaces are ready to weather any extreme temperatures. What can you do to avoid costly repairs in the spring when temperatures begin to climb? One place to start is your sprinkler system.

How to Winterize Your Sprinkler System

Wondering how to winterize your sprinkler system yourself? Here’s our first tip: Don’t wait for winter’s first freeze! Sprinkler systems should be clear of water before frigid temperatures set in, to avoid burst pipes, broken valves, and the cost and hassle of repair.

Here’s the good news: With an air compressor and a little homeowner know-how, you can avoid the cost of hiring a professional by winterizing your sprinkler system yourself. Most systems are equipped with built-in drain valves to release water from the system, but these may not be sufficient for eliminating water that has pooled in … Read Full Post »

How To Keep Pipes From Freezing Without Heat

how to keep pipes from freezing without heat

Winter often means bundling up and adding on extra layers. For homeowners, the season can also bring extra responsibilities. When temperatures dip below the freezing mark, pipes can freeze and lead to other, more serious problems.

How To Keep Your Pipes From Freezing This Winter

Since the possibility of freezing pipes only happens once a year, and relatively infrequently in warmer climates, it can be difficult to remember exactly what to do to minimize any potential damage to your home. Here at ABC Home & Commercial Services, we want to help make things easier on homeowners all year long.  Read our list of tips and steps you can take to prevent your pipes from freezing over below.

Inspect Your Home

Homeowners often ask us how to keep pipes from freezing without heat. The answer is that the same tips for keeping your pipes from freezing can also protect your home if you lose … Read Full Post »

Fire Safety Tips To Keep Your Loved Ones Safe All Year Long

fire safety tips

Cold winter nights call for warm beverages, movie nights, and of course, curling up by the fireplace.

Keep Your Loved Ones Safe With These Fire Safety Tips

Before you light the fire and cuddle up under a few blankets, there are a few things you should consider. Read our fire safety tips below to keep your family and home safe this winter.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Both wood burning and gas fireplaces are designed to keep your family safe. Still, though, it’s important to perform proper maintenance operations before lighting the first fire of the season.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is ensure your fireplace is clear of obstructions and creosote. This can be done by a professional chimney sweep. Do this annually, before you light your first fire. Your chimney sweep will share other fireplace safety tips with you which may be particularly relevant to your home.

Once your fireplace is … Read Full Post »

Ways to Give Back in Houston

Volunteer opportunities in Houston

Of course, we are biased, but we think Houston is one of the best places to live and work in the entire country. When we volunteer, we can make our city even better. There are a lot of different ways you can get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities in Houston

Let’s look at just a few volunteer opportunities in Houston and the surrounding communities.

Volunteering for Adults

The Houston Food Bank can always use a helping hand. The organization needs folks to help sort, process, and pack food for hungry Houstonians. If you prefer, you can volunteer to prepare meals for kids in the organization’s dedicated kitchen. You can get your employer involved with one of the agency’s corporate programs. For college students and others looking to enhance job skills, the Food Bank also has leadership programs.

Enjoy education and reading? Then the Houston Public Library wants to hear from you. The Library has programs for adults … Read Full Post »

Celebrate The Season With These Houston Holiday Events

Houston holiday events

Houston sparkles during the holiday season, and when it comes to holiday events in Houston, there’s truly something for everyone.

2016 Holiday Events in Houston

Whether you’re on a budget or feeling flush, and whether you love brilliant lights displays, musical or theater performances, or shopping and festivals, the following Christmas events in Houston are sure to help you get into the holiday spirit.

Numerous holiday lights displays transform Houston and neighboring areas into a winter wonderland! Particular favorites include Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo (through Jan. 15), Magical Winter Lights at Galveston’s Gulf Greyhound Park (through Jan. 8), and Festival of Lights at Galveston’s Moody Gardens (through Jan. 8). Check out our list of the best holiday lights for more ideas.

Holiday train rides at Hermann Park (now through Jan. 13) — Decked out in festive garlands, the train glows after dark with colorful lights. Tickets are $3.50 per person; children … Read Full Post »

Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

Teacher Christmas gift ideas

We all want to save time around the home, and there is no time of year when that’s more appreciated than during the busy holiday season. When thinking about who you need to buy for, your children’s teachers are very likely on your list. What’s the best way to show your appreciation for all the hard work which teachers do all year long? It can be a challenge to come up with the best way to show your gratitude.  

Great Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas

If you have a long to-do list for Christmas, including shopping for a present your child’s teacher, here are some great gift idea suggestions.

For the Busy, Practical Mom

Gift cards are a fast and easy way for busy parents to give teachers exactly what they want or need. You or the designated classroom parent can even collect funds from multiple parents in the class online to give … Read Full Post »